cripple
Render nearly powerless
Cripple refers to a person or animal unable to walk or move normally due to injury or disability.
The word was once standard but is now considered offensive when applied to people—disabled or person with a disability are preferred.
Some disabled people have reclaimed it: I'm a crip and proud of it.
As a verb, to cripple means to cause severe damage or impairment: The sanctions crippled the economy.
The figurative verb remains common and unobjectionable.
Cause loss of movement
- debilitateTo make weak
- incapacitateDeprive of strength or ability
- enfeebleMake feeble or frail
- weakenReduce in strength
hamstring · immobilize · impair · undermine · sabotage · neutralize · derail · hobble
Seated conveyance for mobility-impaired
- crutchesMobility aids for injured
- walkerAmbulatory person or aid
- prosthesisManufactured replacement body part
- limpLacking firmness or rigidity
lame · hobble · paralysis · paraplegic · quadriplegic · amputee · brace · orthotics
Destroyed vessel or vehicle
- devastateDestroy thoroughly and completely
- ruinComplete destruction or collapse
- destroyCause complete ruin
- breakInterrupt continuity
shatter · crush · demolish · compromise · degrade · erode · deteriorate · corrode
Braided fabric trim
- lameWeak or limping
- invalidWithout legal force
- handicappedHaving imposed disadvantage
- infirmWeak in body
deformed · spaz · offensive · derogatory · outdated · pejorative · stigma · epithet
Unjust differential treatment
- marginalizationRelegation to powerless periphery
- stigmaMark of dishonor
- prejudicePreformed unfavorable opinion
- exclusionBeing barred from participation
dehumanization · stereotype · bias · oppression · eugenics · institutionalization · pity · infantilization
paralyze
Cause loss of movement
- debilitateTo make weak
- incapacitateDeprive of strength or ability
- enfeebleMake feeble or frail
weaken · hamstring · immobilize · impair · undermine · sabotage · neutralize · derail · hobble · lame
wheelchair
Seated conveyance for mobility-impaired
- crutchesMobility aids for injured
- walkerAmbulatory person or aid
- prosthesisManufactured replacement body part
limp · lame · hobble · paralysis · paraplegic · quadriplegic · amputee · brace · orthotics · mobility aid
wreck
Destroyed vessel or vehicle
- devastateDestroy thoroughly and completely
- ruinComplete destruction or collapse
- destroyCause complete ruin
break · shatter · crush · demolish · compromise · degrade · erode · deteriorate · corrode · gut
gimp
Braided fabric trim
- lameWeak or limping
- invalidWithout legal force
- handicappedHaving imposed disadvantage
infirm · deformed · spaz · offensive · derogatory · outdated · pejorative · stigma · epithet · insult
discrimination
Unjust differential treatment
- marginalizationRelegation to powerless periphery
- stigmaMark of dishonor
- prejudicePreformed unfavorable opinion
exclusion · dehumanization · stereotype · bias · oppression · eugenics · institutionalization · pity · infantilization
- Construction Lingostud, studs, drywall, sheetrock, framing
- status effectsdebuffed, poison, hexed, burn, cursed
- burdensburden, load, onus, obligations, weight
- bodily harmhurt, injure, wound, harm, injuries
- dirty tacticsdirty trick, dirty tricks, dirty pool, foul play, cheap shot
- restraintshandcuffs, shackles, chains, ropes, cuffs
crippleenable
Make something feasible
empower · capacitate · strengthen · facilitate · invigorate
- crippling injuryHarm causing lasting disability
- crippling debt
- crippling fear
- crippling blow
- nipple cripplePainful chest-pinch prank
- crippling diseaseIllness causing severe impairment